Second Coming of Christ

COMING AGAIN OR NEVER LEFT? 
The imagery of Jesus coming down to earth riding on a cloud is indelibly strong for most Christians. It is so strong that it compels followers of Jesus to set aside everything they otherwise believe about the laws of physics that govern their lives. Setting aside the laws of physics and biology is something that most Christians are willing to do because they find evidence for such beliefs in the literal words of the bible with stories about talking snakes, boats large enough to hold all the animals of the world, seas parting, virgin birth and going to heaven in a cloud. Anyone other than a Christian would call these stories myths or fantasies. Christians call them evidence of faith. See Belief, Trust and Faith for God’s views about these beliefs.

Justification for the belief that Jesus will come back to earth riding on a cloud is found in Mark 13:24-26:

24“But in those days, following that distress, “ ‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; 25 the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’ 26 “At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27 And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.

These verses exist in the context of the so-called “end times” which is also called the end of the world  and the end of days. Beliefs about Jesus riding on clouds are able to survive and thrive in Christian theology because Christians do not understand the symbolism of “the world,” biblical references to time, and days, or the “son of man.” When these beliefs are wrong, it is predictable that Christians would also believe in a literal “second coming” of a human person called Jesus riding on a cloud.

There are four bible interpretation issues that must be resolved before understanding the second coming.

***The first thing to understand is the symbolism of clouds:. Scripture says that Jesus was taken up and hidden in a cloud.

Acts 1:9  After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

In another verse he is reported to go up into heaven.

Mark 16:19 After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God.

The second thing to understand is what it means to be “taken up” or “lifted up.” Many scriptures refer to the idea of being lifted up or taken up.  Taken up is the language that is typically interpreted “rapture.”  See this link for understanding of the rapture.

In another verse, someone assumed to be Jesus, reportedly returns to earth in clouds.

Mark 13:26 “At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.

The common term in these scriptures of Jesus going to heaven and returning to earth is “clouds.” To understand the idea of the second coming, therefore, we must first understand the symbolism of clouds. To arrive at the correct understanding of clouds, we must remember what God said about speaking to people:

Exodus 19:9: The LORD said to Moses, “I am going to come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear me speaking with you and will always put their trust in you.” Then Moses told the LORD what the people had said.

This verse has application for everyone — not just Moses and the Israelites. It is a general statement of how God makes himself known to people: In a dense cloud. The symbolism of clouds is people — specifically New Covenant disciples. See this link for understanding of the symbolism of clouds.

With the understanding that clouds represent true prophets who speak for God, scriptures about going and returning in clouds takes on important spiritual meaning. No longer do we think of a super-human person such as Jesus defying the principles of gravity. No longer do we see Jesus floating in the air on clouds. What we see is a normal human (Jesus) whose words are the spirit of prophecy expressed through people (i.e. New Covenant disciples) who carry on Jesus’ ministry in his absence.

Christians  wrongly equate being hidden in a cloud and taken up into heaven with physical ascension of a human into the physical sky. Because logic, science and reason say that this is not possible, and because God always speaks in Symbols, Signs, Types, Parables and Allegories, we must look for the symbolic meaning of these events. We know that being taken up means to have your heart lifted up when you hear God’s spoken voice.

Acts 1:9 should not be interpreted as a unique, one time event. The experience of your heart being lifted up is what happens every time someone hears and understands Jesus’ message.  Furthermore, Acts 1:9 should not be interpreted to mean that a human person (e.g. Jesus) was magically lifted up into the sky where he was hidden by a physical cloud. It means that the spirit of Jesus was exalted in the New Covenant disciples who heard Jesus’ message.

A term religious people like to substitute for “exalted” and “lifted up” is rapture. What happened may be summarized like this:

  1. Jesus spoke for God.
  2. People heard and understood Jesus’ message and were filled with new, spiritual life. Their hearts were raptured with joy.
  3. From that point on the human Jesus who spoke for God was hidden from public view by the cloud of witnesses  who were sharing his message.
  4. From that point on, the cloud of human witnesses — not Jesus —  spoke for God. 
Since these verses reference the way Jesus was taken up, it is critical to associate the way he returns to that event. When we look carefully, we see that Jesus was actually taken up many times — not just once. Whenever he “went up” to the mountain, he was actually taken up. We know this because the Greek words were used interchangeably to describe these events.
The significance of this observation is this: Jesus’ return was not a one-time event. Just as being taken up was not a one-time event, his return was not a one-time event.

This imagery totally ignores, or rejects, the symbolism of Jesus, clouds, heaven  and end times. And there are several other serious problems with this literal imagery and theology:

Since it is religious people who anticipate the second coming of Christ, it must be said that they are relatively comfortable with their present religious life and with the present condition of their heart. They don’t know for sure what Jesus will do when he comes, but they still talk about his coming as an event which will be special in some kind of romantic way, and they have a sense that the spiritual significance of his coming will be more for people who do not currently know Jesus than it will be for them.

Religious people do not know that the second coming of Jesus is for their benefit. They do not know that the spirit of Jesus is already present, and they do not know that they do not embody that spirit. If they did know, they would not look for it to be coming in the future. What this means is that religious people, Jews, Christians, and others, do not have Jesus’ spirit (i.e. God’s spiritual laws) in their hearts today. Some may think that they have Jesus in their hearts, but what they really have is only religion that includes a nostalgic, sentimental image of Jesus. For Christians, their religion includes religious rules overlaid with a fine-sounding veneer they call Jesus. Sadly, this image does not include the realities of Jesus (i.e. his personal qualities and his ministry functions).

In their hearts they have the teachings of man on which their religions are based, but they do not have the testimony of of Jesus (i.e. spirit of prophecy) in their hearts. For Jews and all other religious, their religion includes obedience to religious laws — but not God’s spiritual laws.

New Covenant disciples do not anticipate a unique second coming because they already have God’s spiritual laws written on their hearts. But they do eagerly expect to hear his voice every time they read the bible. Even when they are not reading they might hear his voice. This means they recognize God’s spoken voice when they heart it. For them, this is the ultimate spiritual experience. There is nothing greater for them to imagine or anticipate. For them, the rapture is an everyday experience in which they hear God’s spoken voice.

Until that day when they hear God’s spoken voice, Old/First Covenant religious people will continue to believe that the following scriptures anticipate the unique second coming of a human, physical Jesus.

2 Peter 3:1-18: Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking. 2 I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles. 3 First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4 They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” 5 But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. 6 By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed.

COMMENTARY:

7 By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. 8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

COMMENTARY:

10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. 11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.

COMMENTARY:

13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. 14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. 15 Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. 16 He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction. 17 Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position. 18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

COMMENTARY:

1 Thessalonians 5:1-9: Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5 You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Matthew 24:3-51 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” 4 Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ, ‘ and will deceive many. 6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains. 9 “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. 15 “So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’ spoken of through the prophet Daniel–let the reader understand– 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let no one on the roof of his house go down to take anything out of the house. 18 Let no one in the field go back to get his cloak. 19 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! 20 Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. 21 For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now–and never to be equaled again. 22 If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. 23 At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. 24 For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect–if that were possible. 25 See, I have told you ahead of time. 26 “So if anyone tells you, ‘There he is, out in the desert,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. 27 For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 28 Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather. 29 “Immediately after the distress of those days ” ‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’ 30 “At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. 31 And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other. 32 “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 33 Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. 34 I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

Luke 21:5-36:  Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, 6 “As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.” 

COMMENTARY: This physically beautiful temple was created by man — not God. God’s temple is in the hearts of New Covenant disciples. Because stones are people, the stones that will be thrown down are the religious leaders who control the temple institution.

Read more about destruction of religious institutions in Jesus and the Money-Changers in the Temple and TEARING DOWN IDOLS, ALTARS AND HIGH PLACES. These all describe the end times of religion.

7 “Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?” 8 He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them. 

COMMENTARY: The disciples wrongly think that these events will come at a unique point in time that will be observable with natural senses (i.e., eyes and ears.) They do not understand that these conditions are always present whenever religion is present. This means that then end times of religion are evident every day.

Jesus warns against being deceived by false prophets who will come in Jesus’ name (i.e. they will call themselves Christians) and represent that they know the way to avoid going to hell. They will use fear of going to hell as the motivation to follow religious laws that will be their salvation.

9 When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.” 10 Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven. 

COMMENTARY: The signs mentioned here are evidence that God is always at work destroying religion. The signs symbolize internal, religious conflict — not geographical, geological or weather events.

Evidence of these signs is found in constant competition for followers between and within religious nations. See Religion is the Enemy, Gods at War and Sibling Conflict for discussion of conflict between religious nations.

These events will unfold slowly as religion self-destructs from within. While people struggle to find meaning and safety in their religions, God calls them out of religion one person at a time.

The signs from heaven are rumblings in the hearts of religious people who are beginning to hear God’s voice convicting them about the evil condition of their hearts and the Deception, Injustice, Slavery, Oppression and Affliction that religions perpetrate on religious people.

12 “But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. 13 And so you will bear testimony to me. 14 But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. 15 For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17 Everyone will hate you because of me. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 Stand firm, and you will win life. 

COMMENTARY: Jesus is addressing these comments to his followers as New Covenant disciples. These events are summarized in the Second Death and Post-rapture Tribulation.

20 “When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city. 22 For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written. 23 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people. 24They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. 25 “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. 26 People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. 27 At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 

COMMENTARY: This is a prophecy about the destruction of Old Jerusalem which symbolizes a community of Old/First Covenant religionists. Since Jerusalem has always been a religious community, this prophecy has already been fulfilled. Old Jerusalem is under attack.

The imagery is of internal religious conflict like the conflict described in Religion is the Enemy, Gods at War,  and Sibling Conflict. These conditions describe the end times and pre-rapture tribulation.

These conditions are ripe times for distressed people to listen to a prophet (i.e. son of man) who will tell them to escape the conflict by getting out of religion. Religious people do not tend to listen to true prophets during seasons of relative peace. When times are difficult, however, they are more inclined to look for alternatives to religion taught true prophets.

28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” 29 He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 30 When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. 31 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 “Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. 34 “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. 35 For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”

COMMENTARY: The son of man is commonly interpreted to refer to the person Jesus. This happens because bible publishers wrongly capitalized son and man as though the label applied exclusively to Jesus. The correct interpretation is that the term “son of man” applies to any and all New Covenant disciples who function as True Prophets who speak for God.

STUDY TIP: See this link for more about son of man and son of God.

Verse 36 is the key verse here regarding the second coming. Literal interpretations assume that it refers to the second coming of Jesus as the son of man. Actually, it refers to all true prophets, angels, messiahs, high priests, and warriors who teach about the righteous alternative to religion at any time. Their messages should always be welcomed by religious people because, whether they understand it or not, they always live in conflict with religion.

Isaiah 13:11 I will punish the world for its evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; I will put an end to the pride of the arrogant, and lay low the haughtiness of the ruthless.
COMMENTARY: The weapons that God uses to punish are his words. Here conviction of sin is equated with punishment but the expected outcome of this kind of punishment is coming out of religion and listening to God’s spoken voice. When God’s words of truth land on religious people, their pride and arrogance is replaced with humility.

 

These scriptures describe conditions that will always exist in the context of religion. Therefore, the prophecies are not about the future. Since the prophecies that anticipate the second coming of the son of man, describe conditions that exist today, the prophecies are fulfilled today — not in the future.

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